New Jersey has punched above its weight in space history, producing pilots and scientists who’ve flown early Mercury missions through Apollo and beyond. That mix of hometown roots and high-altitude achievement makes for an interesting regional snapshot of NASA’s personnel.
There are 4 Astronauts from New Jersey, ranging from Buzz Aldrin to Wally Schirra. Each entry lists Birthplace (city),Birth year,Missions so you can compare backgrounds and careers; details you’ll find below.
Who are the four New Jersey-born astronauts and what missions did they fly?
The list includes four individuals; notable examples are Buzz Aldrin (Gemini 12, Apollo 11 — lunar module pilot) and Wally Schirra (Mercury-Atlas 8, Gemini 6A, Apollo 7). For the complete mission history and the other two astronauts on the list, see the rows below showing birthplace, birth year and missions.
How accurate is the birthplace and mission data, and where can I verify it?
The facts here are based on official astronaut biographies and mission records—primarily NASA profiles and historical mission logs—along with reputable space-history archives; check those sources or the linked notes below for original citations and detailed timelines.
Astronauts from New Jersey
| Name | Birthplace (city) | Birth year | Missions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Buzz Aldrin | Glen Ridge | 1930 | Gemini 12; Apollo 11 (LM pilot, second Moonwalker) |
| Wally Schirra | Hackensack | 1923 | Mercury-Atlas 8; Gemini 6A; Apollo 7 |
| Mark Kelly | Orange | 1964 | STS-108; STS-121; STS-124; STS-134 |
| Scott Kelly | Orange | 1964 | STS-103; STS-118; long-duration ISS missions (including nearly one-year mission) |
Images and Descriptions
Buzz Aldrin
Born in Glen Ridge in 1930, Buzz Aldrin piloted Apollo 11’s lunar module and became the second person to walk on the Moon. He remains New Jersey’s most famous astronaut, known for pioneering spacewalks and promoting STEM education.
Wally Schirra
Wally Schirra, born in Hackensack in 1923, flew Mercury-Atlas 8, Gemini 6A and Apollo 7. He was the only astronaut to fly in Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programs, and remains a celebrated New Jersey-born space pioneer.
Mark Kelly
Mark Kelly was born in Orange, New Jersey in 1964. A four-time shuttle astronaut and former ISS commander, he helped assemble the station and later entered public service. He’s one of New Jersey’s most prominent astronaut natives.
Scott Kelly
Scott Kelly was born in Orange, New Jersey in 1964. He flew multiple shuttle and long-duration ISS missions, including a nearly one-year mission studying human adaptation to space. He remains a high-profile New Jersey-born astronaut and scientific communicator.
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